Broncos to place OG Ron Leary on IR with torn Achilles

Broncos starting left guard Ron Leary suffered a torn Achilles during a 23-20 loss to the Rams in Week 6 and will be placed on injured reserve, coach Vance Joseph announced during his Monday press conference.

With Leary going on injured reserve, Max Garcia will likely step up at left guard and Connor McGovern will start at right guard. The Broncos will need more depth behind Garcia and McGovern, so rookie Sam Jones will likely be active on game days going forward.

Going into Sunday’s game against Los Angeles, Leary had not allowed any sacks through five games. He allowed just two sacks last year.

The 29-year-old guard is arguably Denver’s best offensive lineman, so losing him is a big blow for the offense. He signed a four-year, $36 million contract last offseason and is scheduled to earn a base salary of $8.15 million over the next two seasons.

The Broncos will face the Cardinals on “Thursday Night Football” this week. Denver will be looking to snap a four-game losing streak.